VIN question

[Bill K.]

A friend is selling his father's 81 and was asking me advice. He brought the car over to take a look and the 9TH digit of the VIN is 9. From all the information I found, the 9th digit should be a 4. The VIN is 1G1AY87698S418580, build code CO2 (10/2/80 or 2/2/81). Trim152, paint 19L. The car is two tone, Red on silver/Grey. From what I have been able to figure out, which isn't much since what I am seeing and what I find don't match up. Could someone shed some light on VIN and codes.

Thanks Bill Kohl

[Vinnie P.]

Re: VIN question

found this in an online forum

1981 VIN Includes:

1st Digit: Identifies Country of Origin (1 for United States) 2nd Digit: Identifies Manufacturer (G for General Motors) 3rd Digit: Identifies Division (1 for Chevrolet) 4th Digit: Identifies Restraint System (A for Non-Passive/Manual Belts, B for Automatic Belts, C for Air Bags) 5th Digit: Identifies Carline/Series (Y for Corvette) 6th & 7th Digits: Identify Body Type (87 for Coupe) 8th Digit: Identifies Engine Code (6 for 350ci, 190hp) 9th Digit: Security Code added to VIN; varies 10th Digit: Identifies Model Year (B for 1981) 11th Digit: Identifies Assembly Plant (S for St. Louis, 5 for Bowling Green) Last 6 Digits: Identify production number (400001 for St. Louis, 100001 for Bowling Green)

http://www.corvetteonline.com/news/check-out-this-cool-vin-decoder-from-mid-america-motorworks/

[David H.]

Re: VIN question

A friend is selling his father's 81 and was asking me advice. He brought the car over to take a look and the 9TH digit of the VIN is 9. From all the information I found, the 9th digit should be a 4. The VIN is 1G1AY87698S418580, build code CO2 (10/2/80 or 2/2/81). Trim152, paint 19L. The car is two tone, Red on silver/Grey. From what I have been able to figure out, which isn't much since what I am seeing and what I find don't match up. Could someone shed some light on VIN and codes.

Thanks Bill Kohl

Bill,

As Vinnie already noted, 9th digit varies. I believe build code is "G02" (not C02) - consistent with St Louis VIN production around April 2, 1981.

152 would indicate Silver Leather interior.

19 would indicate Black paint. Don't see any two-tone combinations in Judging Guide for St Louis cars - does two-tone paint look original?. Shipper document is available from GM Archives for this car (1977 & up Corvette) and might shed some light on car's paint. Who knows - perhaps an experiment late in St Louis production for Bowling Green start-up?

Dave

[Michael J.]

Re: VIN question

Very few tutone '81s from St. Louis, about 100. And none of those were sold to the public, all to GM employees. Red over silver gray was not listed.

[Bill K.]

Re: VIN question

Thank you all for the information. Regarding the build code, CO2 VS GO2. I would swear in a court of law the tag says C02, but, who knows, I could have read it wrong. But is odd, his father, son, and me all saw C02.

[Rick A.]

Re: VIN question

The following were the "two tone" combos that were available in 1981 - there are NO records that I can find that indicate if any / how many were actually produced

33/38 Silver / Dark Blue

33/39 Silver / Charcoal

50/74 Beige / Dark Bronze

80/98 Autumn Red / Dark Claret

As was mentioned 19 is Black exterior, which you provided and the L is some kind of option code that I have NOT been able to find, but is NOT a "two tone" option as you can see

[Patrick H.]

Re: VIN question

Thank you all for the information. Regarding the build code, CO2 VS GO2. I would swear in a court of law the tag says C02, but, who knows, I could have read it wrong. But is odd, his father, son, and me all saw C02.

Credit to Gary Bosselman for the photos.
G on the left, C on the right. You can see how easily it is to mistake them.